nuns to gnostics...
Buddha, Baphomet, Jah, Jesus, Yahweh, Waheguru... (The Window pt. 51)
All the below so close (within a 15’ area), and not so far apart.
On the autumnal equinox the woman above and five others danced through the streets at sunset, wearing flower crowns, celebrating Mabon (“The Witch’s Thanksgiving”) in honour of nature’s abundance.
“May good thoughts come to us from all sides”, a Hindu prayer.
This woman is going to a Powwow (an Indigenous gathering to celebrate culture, tell stories, sing, and perform traditional dances) somewhere downtown. On her regalia is the circular Four Directions symbol (white N, red S, yellow E, black W), one meaning of which is the interdependent relationship between all living things.
The tefillin is a small black box containing verses from the Torah, worn by Orthodox and traditional communities by wrapping the attached leather straps around the arm and forehead. The purpose is to keep one’s focus on spiritual development, not worldly desires.
An Apostle of Infinite Love.
A Sikh principle is sarbat da bhala (“the welfare of all” or “may everyone prosper”)
As-salamu alaykum: Peace be upon you
The Spring Festival (celebrated by Buddhists, Taoists, and Confucians) lasts 15 days, and the highlight is the Chinese New Year — sometimes celebrated wearing traditional costumes — which is about wishing wealth, happiness, and success to those around you.
The first mention of saris can be found in the Rig Veda, a Hindu book of hymns dating to 3,000 B.C. (And also seen at the Met Gala 2022*). There are endless variations of it, from silk to woven steel, and it’s worn across cultures and generations.
Baphomet (the chest tattoo) is a Gnostic deity that the Knights Templar were accused of worshipping, and which later became an occult symbol (and/or seen as Satanic). It is non binary, described by Aleister Crowley as the "divine androgyne”: half human/animal, half male/female, half good/evil, showing the concept of balance and social order. (Somewhat like the yin and yang symbol.)**
NOTES:
numerous Chanel acolytes, Prada priestesses, Dior disciples and other fashion apostles not included here, though they were also displaying their devotion in that same 15 feet.
Waheguru, in this post’s subtitle, is the most common term to refer to God in modern Sikhism.
The Window process: hours of looking down, left and right, (and occassionaly, up), tracking people and movement as if I’m embodied spyware. Hyper-vigilance, too slow, so ultra. Very occasionally I’d see a photo op while down on the street, so I’d sprint ahead and kangaroo up the stairs, hoping to get in place to catch the moment. Often, not. But the nun: saw her at a local tailor and hustled back to hover overhead. Prayers answered: 30 minutes later she crossed by.
*no more met gala references, promise. (Until the next year or two, when Rita Ora or whoever enters in upside down, or on stilts or whatever, or the event has its own pavilion at the Venice Biennale).
**yin yang is not as metal as Baphomet, but still: the opposite but interconnected good and bad, darkness and light, masculine and feminine, as in all the above creeds and people… and ourselves.
BONUS PHOTO:
The term "Rastafari" comes from "Ras Tafari Makonnen”. Ras means “prince”, and Tafari Makonnen is the natal name of Haile Selassie, the Emperor of Ethiopia (1930-74), who occupies a central role in Rasta’s beliefs (he is seen by some as the returned messiah). The saying “One love” — universal love and respect expressed for all people regardless of race, creed or color— is associated with Rastafarians… made famous of course by Bob Marley.
The Window, as networked artwork (editioned prints of all sets available for acquisition or exhibition):
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heart cave in
“I need to remember … Sometimes there's so much beauty in the world, I feel like I can't take it, and my heart is just going to cave in.” — Ricky Fitts (American Beauty, plastic bag scene)
I love this series! Thoughtful.❤️